Ignorance is, indeed, bliss.

 

What we do not know won’t hurt us, right?

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A simplified definition of ‘knowledge’ which I came up with:

Knowledge –> power –> responsibility –> burden -> sorrow

(Which holds true only when read from left –> right.)

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Here’s the amplified version:

Gaining (knowledge) is like having a baton passed to you. It is now in your hands (power). You have the (responsibility) to hold on to it and make greater use of it than the person before you (burden). Hence the ability to influence and reach out to more people. More people = more problems/challenges = more (sorrow).

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And lastly, a case scenario, to make better sense of it:

3 years of nursing studies (knowledge) –> license to practice(power) –> lives of patients in our hands (responsibility) –> have to be proficient in skills and do no harm (burden) –> every kind of (sorrow) arising from failure to meet expectations of self, patients, colleagues; doing more harm than good; being scolded by sarcastic and rude anyone; general sadness over patients’ and their families’ situations.

Insert your own scenario if you’d like. =p

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Of course if you want a more optimistic (or rather, idealistic) definition… It can be rearranged into a simple chain diagram:

Knowledge –> power –> responsibility –> knowledge –> blabla

Ampliflied version:

Having acquired knowledge, it puts you in a place of authority which means you have the responsibility to translate that knowledge into greater use. Having being able to do so, you want to do even better. Hence acquiring more knowledge, which might lead to promotions/higher ranks (power) and hence more influence (responsibility).

And so on.

Perfect.

~

As we can see, a tiny seed of knowledge goes a looong way, which usually ends with more sorrow to self and possibly/hopefully more benefits to others. It can also be a dangerous weapon whereby an abuse of it could result in fatal consequences, especially when used with self-centered intentions.

And of course, on the other hand/concurrently, knowledge can also bring us joy and satisfaction and can generally increase our quality of life.

But… Are there not more sad days than happy ones? Are not tears louder than laughter? Are not worries heavier than all confidence condensed?

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P.S: Just some midnight thoughts, which arose from one stupid trivial incident. Anyway, please feel free to share your own definition of knowledge. :)

Who’s right?
Who’s wrong?
Who cares?